Automatic sampler



3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 24, 1965 Apri116,1968 T.N|TESU 3,377,867-

AUTOMATIC 'SAMPLER Filed Feb. 24,'1965 y' 3 sheets-sheet 2 'April 16, 196s T. NITESCU AUTOMATIC SAMPLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 24, 1965 Y m, 1| l m /f m f lf r Wm 1-. im l! ---L n a lid J 8 I I w .||.l u G V. f v .f J 0 M 6 l III. 8 7 9 l. 2 w 2 n n 2 2 I V 3 l. l I. l I lll l, 4 wvl TI .In x :lfm m T vllllv I l I l I l I n v 1 n l l r 2 m I ,tm 9 P I I I l I I I I /M/ 9 7 wr m A w. Lf'L L .4.. P4 1w u. :mh G v n 2 2 fil-: IAHIIIIIII. El m l|||l||| l l l llq'llli. mm .1 ||||m||n .||C||||- Var VAL y 7 l 2 United States Patent O 3,377,867 AUTOMATIC SAMPLER Trajan Nitescu, 723 Riverdale Ave., Calgary, Alberta, Canada Filed Feb. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 434,882 Claims priority, application Canada, Dec. 15, 1964,

4 Claims. (l. 'I3-422) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 'IIhis invention relates to an .autoniatic sampling device for a multi-phase non-'homogeneous fluid. More particularly it rela-tes to an automatic device for determining the gas-liquid ratio in a multi-phase fluid from producing oil wells.

At present, the oil and associated gas produced from a well i-s usually directed to a separator where the Water, oil and gas are separated, measured independently and then directed to an `oil storage center.

It is an object of one aspect of the pre-sent invention to determine the Iga's-liquid ratio of a single producing oil well connected in a gathering system of producing oil wells.

IIt is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide an automatic sampling device which will `determine the gas-liquid ratios of a composite of periodic samples.

By a broad aspect of the invention there is provided yan automatic sampling device for use witha pipe line comprising: a ow divider having inle't means adapte'd to be connected -to said pipe line and outlet means adapted to be connected to said pipe line downstream of the inlet connection, said flow `divider consisting off a plurality of channels one of which may be connected to la measuring means by means of a valve; said valve lbeing capalble of being actuated by a conventional timing system'for the regu'lar periodic sampling of the eluent of s'aid. flow channel and a conventional sample measuring me'an's. Preifera'bly, this broad aspect or the `invention also includes a pressure stabilizing means for equalizing the Allow within the .channels of the said ow divider.

lBy another aspect `of the present invention, there is provided a process for determining the liquid-gas ratio of the eluent flowing through a pipe line, comprising: dividin'g the said effluent into a plurality of substantially identical channels, regularly intermittently sampling the eluent of one of the said channels, preferably by taking, during each sample interval, a volume equal to the volume of said channel and measuring the liquid-gas ratio thereof. Preferably, also, this process includes the 'step of equalizing the ow pressure throughout all of the said channels.

By yet another aspect, there is provided a fluid pressure regulator for equalizing the pressure on both sides of a bleeder point which comprises: a pressure sensitive diaphragm connected to the upstream end .of .the said bleeder point, an oppositely activating pressure sensitive diaphragm connected to the downstream end of the said bleeder point and a bleeder channel therebetween; the degree of aperture of the said bleeder channel being related to the pressure differential between the two said diaphragms.

Patented Apr. 16, 1968 ICC In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side, partially diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the sampler connected to an oil well line;

FIG. 2 is a longitu-dinal cross-section elevation of the flow divider and zero differential ow controller and a diagrammatic view of the valve means;

lFlG. 3 is a plane cross-section of the iow divider along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the zero differential ow controller of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side partially diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section o'f the flow divider used in j the embodiment ot the present sampler shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a central longitudinal section, partly in kbroken lines, of the channel divider block ott FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a central longitudinal section of another channel divider lblock used in the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the automatic sampling device in diagrammatic form connected to an oil well line.A by-pass line 1a from line 1 from the oil well line (not shown) is connected, via valve 1b to a ow divider 2 having a plurality of substantially identical channels. The downstream end of the flow divider is connected Via valve 2a to outlet flow pipe 5 which may'in turn be connected to a common oil gathering system (not shown). A valve means 3 such as a solenoid 3-way valve capable of being actuated 'by a timing circuit shown at 4 (and includin-g a switch 4a, a time controller 4b and a battery 4c and electrical lines 4d leading to solenoid valve 3) is connected to one of the channels of the ow divider 2. A bleeder line 6 from valve means 3 is connected to the i zero differential tiow controller 7. Line 8 from the outlet end of ow controller 7 is connected, preferably through a back pressure regulator 8a, to a graduated cylinder 9 which in .turn has a Igas outlet 10, provided with a rubber expansion bag 10a connected to a gas meter 11, which is vented at 11a.

The ow ldivider 2 and zero differential flow controller 7 are shown in detail in FIG. 2. The `by-pass line 1a leads into the llow divider 2 which comprises a generally cylindrical member 7d provided with internal means for divided dow. These means include an orifice plate 12 provided with a central orifice 12a, mounted on a screen box 13, provided with screen apertures 13a and secured to a downward-ly depending screw 13b. Screen box 13 is provided with Vcircumferential O-rings 13C to provide sealing connection with the inner walls of cylindrical member 7d.

Resting on ledge 2b on the inner wall of cylindrical member 7d is a channel block 14. Channel blo'ck 14 is provided with a plurality of channels 14a which are identical in dimension and set in a substantially circular pattern, as can be seen lwith reference to FIG. 3. All of channels '114:1 except one are directly connected through header 14C to exit line 15 which leads to outlet flow pipe 5 shown in FIG. 1. One channel `14b is connected to exit 15 by valve inlet line 21 and valve outlet line 16 through valve mean's 3. When valve means 3 is actuated however, valve inlet line 21 is connected to bleeder line 6 shown schematically in FIG. 2, which leads to the zero differential iiow controller 7. Cylindrical member 7d is provided with a top cap 2c.

The zero differential flow control-ler 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists off a main body 7a provided with a longitudinal chamber 7b having two identical enlarged opposed end diaphragm chambers 18a and 19a, provided with diaphragms 18 and 19 respectively. Main body 7a is provided with a radial inlet port 2S, provided with a reduced inlet channel 25a, and radial outlet port 26 leading from an outlet channel 26a. The outlet port 25a (FIG. 2) is connected to the line 8 as indicated by the broken line and the arrow pointing to the numeral 8. Outlet port 3a of solenoid valve 3 is connected, via bleeder line 6 to inlet port 25. Diaphragm 18 is connected by pressure line to valve inlet line 21. Diaphragm 19` is similarly connected by pressure line 20a to valve outlet line 16. Two .metering rods 22 and 23, connected to diaphragms 18 and 19 respectively and provided with reduced diameter Itips 22a and 22h respectively are pressed together in narrow butt-to-butt engagement and are slidalbly fitted in the longitudinal channel 7b by the pressure of their respective diaphragme 1-8 and 19. The pressure differential between diaphragme 18 and 19 will determine the position of the metering rods within the channel 7b. The position which the metering rods so assume determines the size of the ow channel between inlet channel a and outlet channel 26a through longitudinal channel 7b, i.e., between tbleeder inlet port 25 and outlet pont 26.

The operation of the embodiment of the automatic sampling device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 will now be described. The output from a typical well is diverted `through by-pass line 1a by means of opening cut-off valve 1b and closing cut-off valve 1c and passed through ilow divider 2. The pipe line effluent flows through aperture 12a, for proper mixing and into screening means 13 for filtration of solid elements. rThe flow is then divided into a large number of streams by means of channels 14a. The oil and gas etiluent then continues into exit 15 and then to outlet ilow pipe 5. The stream flowing through channel Mb normally travels through valve inlet line 21, through valve 3 and out valve outlet line 16 to join the remaining7 well output at exit 15. When the valve means 3 is actuated however, the efiluent of channel 14h is diverted from valve inlet line 21 through valve outlet line 3a to blecder line 6 which directs the well sample to the inlet port of zero differential ow controller 7. The sample is then passed through outlet port 26 to a conventional liquid and gas measuring means, such as graduated cylinder 9 and gas meter 11, and is then vented at 11a.

The purpose of the zero differential flow controller is to nullify any pressure differential between the valve inlet line 21 and the exit 15. In this way, the flow through channel 14h will be identical to the ilows of the other Ichannels 14a. For example, if the pressure in line 20 and on diaphragm 18 tends to decrease below the pressure in line 22 and on diaphragm 19, the ow channel between inlet port 25 to outlet port 26 will be restricted in size and thus, the ow will decrease. By decreasing this ow, the pressure on diaphragm 18, which is, in fact, the pressure in channel 14b is automatically increased, because of the increased back-pressure in line 6. Similarly if the pressure on diaphragh 18 is above the pressure on diaphragm 19, the downward pressure on metering rod 22 will enlarge the passage between inlet port 25 and outlet port 26, thus increasing the rate of flow of the sample and equalizing the flow through channel 14b with the flow through all the other channels 14a.

To reflect accurately the pressure at-the `channel 14b exit point and the pressures at exit points of the other channels, it is important to have lines 21 and 16 provided with much larger sections than those of channel 14a and 1412. For sampling effluents under very high pressures, it is preferable to install a back pressure regulator, such as 8a, between outlet port 26 and the graduated cylinder 9 where the samples are collected.

With the use of a conventional time controller 4b, the automatic sampling device of the present invention can be set either to take a reduced number of minute samples or hundreds of such samples during a twenty-four hour period. The number of samples to be taken depends on the homogeneity of the eilluent to be sampled. For an oil producing well, it is preferred to take from 50 to 500 samples per day, each one of a few seconds duration.

The total amount of these collected samples may represent only /5000 of the total eluent sampled. Taking `as an example a well producing one hundred barrels per day, it will be necessary during a twenty-four hour period to take a composite sample measuring in the aggregate less than one gallon.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the zero differential flow control of the present invention. The zero differential dow control 200 comprises a main cylindrical body portion 201 provided with a central longitudinal bore 206, a radial inlet port 202 and inlet channel 203 leading to bore 206, `and a longitudinally odset radial outlet channel 205 leading from bore 206 to outlet port 204. Bore 206 is provided with an enlarged chamber 207, adjacent outlet channel 205. Within chamber 207 is an upper sealing element 208 and a lower sealing element 209, with .a flow channel 210 therebetween.

Secured to the upper portion of body 201 is an upper flange plate 211, to which is secured an upper cover plate 212. Upper cover plate 212 also anchors the peripheral edge of diaphragm 213. Diaphragm 213 is secured to upper rod 214 by means of lower washer 215, upper ring 216 and nut 217. Cover plate 212 is provided with aperture 218 which is adapted to be connected to the pressure line 20 (see FIG. 1). Thus there is provided a pressure chamber 219 on which is acting the pressure on the inlet 218.

A similar arrangement is yprovided at the lower end of body 201, i.e. lower flange plate 211a, lower cover plate 212:1, diaphragm 213e, lower rod 214a, washer 215a, ring 21611, nut 217er, inlet 218e and pressure chamber 219a. Again, the pressure in the chamber 219e is equal with the pressure acting through inlet 218e, which is adapted to be connected to pressure line 16 (see FIG. l). Rod 214 is provided with a terminal portion of uniformly reduced diameter 220 while lower rod 214e: is provided with a terminal portion 221 of conical configuration. Portion 220 abuts portion 221.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure acting through inlet 218a is greater than the pressure acting through inlet 218. This causes rod 214a to be moved upwardly -to such an extent that there is no flow of iluid between bore 206 and chamber 207. As the pressure acting through inlet 218 increases rod 214 moves downwardly, thereby permitting fluid to flow from bore 206 to chamber 207. This then allows uid to ow from inlet 202 to outlet 204. The connecting channel 222 is provided for the equalization of the pressures on the back side of the diaphragms 213 and 213:1.

It is necessary that the lpressure acting through inlets 218 and 21811 be the same. If the pressure acting through inlet 218 should tend to decrease below the pressure acting through inlet 218a, the dow of liquid from inlet 202 to outlet 204 is decreased. Conversely, if the pressure acting through inlet 218 tends to increase above the pres sure acting through inlet 218a, the flow from inlet 202 to outlet 204 tends to increase.

Another embodiment of the present invention can be seen with reference to FIG. 5.

The inflow from a well (not shown) via line 101 is connected to a by-pass line 102 and through valve 103 to a sampler 104. The efiluent from sampler 104 is connected via valve 10S and outlet line 106 to main line 101. Main line 101 is also provided with a cut-Cif valve 107.

Sample withdrawal `port 108 is connected to solenoid valve 109 by a line 110. Solenoid valve 109 is actuated by automatic timing cir-cuit 111, consisting of switch 112, time controller 113 and battery 114, and connected to solenoid valve 109 by electrical lines 115. The outlet port 116 of solenoid valve 109 is connected via line 117 to a conventional sample collecting and measuring equipment 118, which has already been described with reference to FIG. l and will not be described again.

The sampler 104 may have an internal construction as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, the construction of the channel divider block 99 may be as shown in rthe embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 or the embodiment of FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, the channel block 119 of the flow divider 27 consists of a main outer pipe 120 and a plurality of concentric pipes 121, 122, 123 and plug 124. The pipes 121, 122, 123 and plug 124 are provided with external flutes 125 running longitudinally along the outside of the pipes to provide a plurality of channels 126 between the adjacent pipes. The pipes 121, 122 and 123 and plug 124 are mounted within tube 120 by means of upper and lower perforated lplates 127, whose perforations are in tandem with channels 126, and a snap ring 12S holding plate 127 in place. Plate 127 is secured to plug 124 by bolt 129. Turbulence may be created upstream of the ow divider through enlargement in the pipe diameter (as shown in FIG. 4) or by insertion of an oriiice screen box .and orifice plate, as shown in FIG. 1. Four of the outer Ichannels 130 of the channel divider block 99 are tapped at 131 to provide four alternative withdrawal ports 108. Only one of such ports 108 is connected to line 110, the other three being normally plugged. Port 108 is normally closed by valve means 109 except during the sample interval.

An alternative construction of the channel divider block is shown in FIG. 8. Here, Ithe block is provided with an inlet header chamber 140 and an outlet header chamber 141. The block 99 is provided with a ange 142 to permit it to be connected -to an inlet line, and a ange 143a to permit it to be connected to an outlet line. The channels 143 are provided in concentric circumferential pattern by drilling channels in the block 99. One of the external channels 144 is provided with a tapped radial aperture 145 to permit i-t to be connected to line 110.

When the automatic timing circuit 111 is actuated, the valve means 109 is opened for a predetermined length of time so that the quantity of iiowing etiiuent admitted to the graduated cylinder is less than the volume of one of the channels 126, 143. The ow within all the channels of the flow divider is equalized by means of .an enlargement of the pipe diameter on each side ofthe sampler 104.

With the present invention oil producing wells can now be equipped with a meter installed for continuous measuring of the weight of the total eiiiuent and a sampler of the present invention for determining the gas-liquid ratio of the eiiiuent. By knowing the gas-liquid ratio and the specific gravity of the gas, o il and water components it is possible to calculate the amount of oil, gas and water produced at a certain well. In this manner, a large number of wells may be connected to a single gathering system without requiring an intermediate separating tank. The total etiiuent can then be directed to a central point where the entire production from the large number of wells can be separated into oil, gas and water components and subsequently used in any desired manner.

I claim: l

1. A process for determining the liquid-gas ratio of the efuent owing through a pipe line, comprising: dividing the said eiliuent into a plurality of channels, regularly intermittently sampling the eiiiuent of one of the said channels and measuring the liquid-gas ratio thereof; and equalizing the iiow volume throughout all of the said channels.

2. A process for determining the liquid-gas ratio of the eiuent from well streams which comprises: dividing the effluent from the one individual wellstream into a plurality of channels; equalizing the iiow throughout all of the said channels; regularly intermittently sampling the effluent of one of the Said channels and measuring the liquidgas ratio thereof; and connecting ealuent from a plurality of such undivided wellstreams to a common gathering system.

3. An automatic sampling device'for use with a pipeline comprising: a ow divider having inlet means connected to said pipeline and outlet means connected to said pipeline downstream of the inlet connection, said How divider `including a section consisting of a plurality of channels; a by-pass and return line having an inlet end in one channel of the said ow divider and a return end connected to said flow divider downstream of said section; a valve means in said by-pass line, said valve means being activated for periodic sampling of the effluent of said channel; a differential flow controller connected across said valve means and having two oppositely activated pressure diaphragms, one of which is connected to the inlet end of said channel by-pass line and the other connected to the return end of said by-pass line whereby the flow through said sampling channel may be automatically regulated to be equal to the flow through the other channels of the said flow divider; and a conventional sample measuring means connected through said diierential flow controller to said by-pass line.

4. An automatic sampling device for use with a pipeline as claimed in claim 3 wherein said valve means is activated by a conventional timing system for the regular periodic sampling of the eiiiuent of said channel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 371,166 10/1887 Barton 73-203 2,322,018 6/1943 Huber 73-422 X 2,583,177 l/l952 Hoekstra.

2,736,201 2/ 1956 Ohlsen et al. 7 3-422 3,013,431 12/ 1961 Splettstoeser 73-422 3,241,372 3/1966 Maxwell 73--422 OTHER REFERENCES Campbell: How to Sample Separator Fluids, Oil and Gas Journal, vol. 54, Oct. 31, 1955, p. 95.

LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner.

DAVID SCHONBERG, Examiner.

DANIEL M. YASICH, Assistant Examiner.

Patent No. 3,377,8

It is certified that error a patent and that said Letters P shown below:

Column 3, line 16, "Fig, 4" should read 119 line 48 "22" April 16, 1968 Trajan Nitescu should read line 38,

ppears in the above identified atent are hereby corrected as Signed and sealed this 11th day of November 1969.

LEAL) ttest:

lward M. Fletcher, Jr. testing Officer WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Commissioner of Patents Column 5, 

